Quigley: anti refugee messages will not derail our efforts

Nichola Neill

The Coleraine SDLP councillor behind a group hoping to bring around fifty refugee families to the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area has said that anti refugee messages will not derail their efforts

Speaking to The Coleraine Times, the SDLP woman said that she has been overwhelmed by the response of the people of the area.

“The local response to the refugee crisis has been overwhelming,” said the Coleraine woman.

“Local families and businesses have opened their homes and their hearts to those suffering terrible hardship. Coleraine serves as an example for the rest of Northern Ireland on this very important issue

“That some would seek to mar this overwhelming positivity and generosity with bigotry is utterly shameful.

“The messages of intolerance and hate that have appeared on social media, graffitied on walls and sent to my own phone over the weekend were disgusting. This small minority have demonstrated their own cowardice, ignorance and inhumanity during this humanitarian disaster.

“Their attempted intimidation will not derail the efforts of the 20 plus families who have offered shelter to refugees of conflict or the countless others around Coleraine who are responding in other ways with the generosity, dedication and decency that this crisis demands.”